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A few months ago, we got to see what happens when Japanese schools have no dress code for graduation. The regal ceremony turns into an epic show of cosplay with Domo, Princess Peach and even PowerRangers ready to accept their diploma.

This may be strange for those of us who picture graduation as a time for shiny black gowns and square-shaped caps. However, in Japan, they believe that a special day should be treated as such. Plus, this gives them another opportunity to show off some creativity and flare.

As it turns out, students in China also perceive graduation in this light. Instead of cosplaying as their favorite anime character for graduation, however, Chinese students have a different sort of outfit in mind: wedding dresses.

We kid you not. The most recent trend among Chinese college graduates are Western-style wedding gowns. White, laced and beaded, these Western-style wedding gowns are not at all new to China. In fact, many Chinese women have chosen a white wedding dress over the traditional red dress, but that hasn’t caused too many heads to turn seeing as the wedding dress is still actually being used for, oh, you know, a wedding.

When asked why they want to wear these typical wedding dresses for their graduation photos, one graduate said, “The wedding dress makes things feel more meaningful.” But isn’t a graduation meaningful enough without all the confusion of other celebrations thrown in? Apparently, not the way we imagine it.

“Graduation ceremonies [in China] are not fun,” says Forbes writer Zheyan Ni. “Parents don’t typically attend and professors don’t hug. Speakers are usually party bureaucrats and officials affiliated with the school, delivering platitudinous and dry elocutions. In fact the only place for graduates to creatively express themselves is the formal photo shoot.”

Some have pointed out the symbolic meaning behind leaving one chapter of your life and “getting married” to another. Others have said this is their last chance to be creative and crazy without consequence. And some have simply said the gowns make everyone look pretty and that’s what you want for an important day. Whatever the reason may be, students across China are renting white gowns and bouquets of flowers for their very special day … well, their other very special day.

Tell us what you think — is this new Asian trend cute or too odd for your liking? Watch the video below.

Audrey Magazine is an award-winning national publication that covers the Asian experience from the perspective of Asian American women. Audrey covers the latest talent and trends in entertainment, fashion, beauty and lifestyle.